Funds raised will go towards Nora Scott's cancer treatment

CARRIE OLSON TAGG

JEWELL – The Kids Cancer Squad, along with Bethesda Lutheran Church, will be holding a fundraiser, A Royal Night for Nora, starting at 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 12. The event includes a free-will donation dinner, silent auction and raffle drawing as the South Hamilton basketball teams take on the Nevada Cubs.

“This has been the sixth year of Hawks for Hope,” Janie Ostrum, president of Kids Cancer Squad, said. “It’s an annual fundraiser that has been held at South Hamilton High School during the basketball games to raise money for Kids Cancer Squad or for a child in the community. We hope to continue doing it for as long as we can.”

The non-profit is currently raising money for Nora Scott, 2, of Jewell.

“We want to be able to support the family through the duration of their treatment, which is often 2 to 3 years,” Ostrum continued. “We had T-shirt sales this year in the community to help raise money and get awareness out there. We also participated in the Festival of Trees & Lights and dedicated the tree to the Scott family.”

The Disney™ Moana-themed tree was the fourth entry for Kids Cancer Squad. All the money raised from the event benefits Blank Children’s Hospital Child Life department and programs.

Kids Cancer Squad currently has over 30 members. Some members are a part of a march squad that participates in local parades throughout the summer. Others volunteer for fundraisers and awareness-raising events.

Ostrum started the non-profit as a way to give back to the community.

“My daughter (Amanda) was diagnosed with AML (acute myeloid leukemia) when she was 2-years old in 2008,” she said. “When we made it through, we started it as a way to give back. It’s been fantastic for me and my husband-it’s a promise that we made to ourselves. We got a lot of support from our community and we wanted to pay it forward.”

To donate to the Hawks for Hope fundraiser on Jan. 12, contact Ostrum at kidscancersquad@gmail.com.